Compositions of marine botanicals to provide nutrition to aging and environmentally damaged skin

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to methods and compositions comprising marine botanicals for treating aged, mature, nutritionally-compromised, or environmentally-damaged skin. These methods and compositions provide improvements in the skin&#39;s visual appearance, physiological functions, clinical properties, and biophysical properties.

CROSS-REFERENCE(S) TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No.11/300,641, filed Dec. 14, 2005, which is a continuation of priorapplication Ser. No. 10/751,684, filed Jan. 5, 2004 (now U.S. Pat. No.7,025,966), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/527,568, filed Dec. 5, 2003. The contents of these applications areincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to treatment methods andcompositions for improving the skin's visual appearance. In particular,the present invention is directed towards compositions and methods fortheir use comprising a combination of marine botanicals that can improvethe skin's visual appearance by providing improvements in, for example,skin moisture, dryness, surface fine lines, wrinkles, firmness, and/orsoftness.

B. Background of the Invention

With chronological age, chronic exposure to adverse environmentalfactors, or malnutrition, the visual appearance, physical properties,and physiological functions of skin change in ways that are consideredcosmetically undesirable. The most notable and obvious changes includethe development of fine lines and wrinkles, loss of elasticity,increased sagging, loss of firmness, loss of color evenness or tone,coarse surface texture, and mottled pigmentation. Less obvious, butmeasurable changes which occur as skin ages or endures chronicenvironmental insult include a general reduction in cellular and tissuevitality, reduction in cell replication rates, reduced cutaneous bloodflow, reduced moisture content, accumulated errors in structure andfunction, alterations in the normal regulation of common biochemicalpathways, and a reduction in the skin's ability to remodel and repairitself. Many of the alterations in appearance and function of the skinare caused by changes in the outer epidermal layer of the skin, whileothers are caused by changes in the lower dermis.

Several different approaches can be used to treat damaged skin caused byaging, environmental factors, chemicals, or malnutrition. One approachinvolves the use of specific agents to directly stimulate or inhibitselected biochemical targets. Examples include the use of retinoids tostimulate collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis by fibroblasts(Schiltz, et al., 1986). Another approach is to use agents or processesthat stimulate the rate at which the epidermis replaces itself, aprocess known as epidermal cell renewal. Increases in epidermal cellrenewal rates usually result from a more rapid rate of replication ofepidermal basal cells, and can be caused by diverse stimuli such aschemical or physical injury, adverse environmental conditions, or directstimulators of basal cell division.

Some examples of chemical injury include allergic or non-allergiccontact irritation, pH extremes, or interaction of the stratum corneumwith household or industrial chemicals or pollutants. Physical injurycan include skin abrasion, friction (i.e. on the soles and heels of thefeet), or removal of the stratum corneum by physical exfoliation (i.e.cosmetic masks) or by tape stripping. Agents that directly or indirectlystimulate basal cell division include retinoids and barrier disrupters.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,963 discloses that a combination ofhydroxy acids, retinoids, and cerebrosides causes chronic injury to thestratum corneum and results in epidermal and dermal repair of thestructurally-deteriorated skin. U.S. Pat. No. 6,495,126, for example,uses a combination of surfactants and chelating agents to stimulate anendogenous stratum corneum chymotryptic proteinase that causes aloosening of corneocytes, resulting in an increased rate of epidermalreplacement and chronic anti-aging benefits. Adverse environmentalexposures that can result in more rapid epidermal turnover rates includeUVA, UVB, and IR radiation from the sun and cold coupled with lowrelative humidity (i.e. low dew point).

Several methods of increasing stratum corneum renewal rates have variousdrawbacks, such as significant irritation to the skin, skin toxicity, orlow pH. In addition, most of these methods involve the invocation ofchronic damage to the skin, which sets up repair mechanisms. For most ofthe existing treatments, there will be a period of time, up to severalweeks or months, during which the skin becomes irritated and after whichtolerance sets in and the symptoms of irritation may decrease and/orcease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the deficiencies in the art by providingcompositions and methods for their use that can be used to treat aged,mature, nutritionally-compromised, or environmentally-damaged skin.

In one aspect of this invention, the composition comprises at least one,two, or three of the following: algae extract, sea fennel, or CodiumTomentosum extract. The composition can be formulated as a cosmeticcompound. The composition can also be comprised in a cosmetic vehicle.The cosmetic vehicle can include an emulsion, a cream, a lotion, asolution, an anhydrous base, a gel, or an ointment. The emulsion can bean oil-in-water emulsion or a water-in-oil emulsion. The solution can bean aqueous solution or hydro-alcoholic solution. The anhydrous base canbe a lipstick or a powder. The composition can be comprised in ananti-aging product or a moisturizing product. The composition can alsobe adapted for application at least once, twice, three, four, five, ormore times a day during use. In another aspect, the composition can bechemically compatible.

The algae extract can be further defined as a green flower algaeextract. The green flower algae extract can be obtained from Monostroma.The Monostroma that can be used with the present invention can include,for example, Monostroma nitidium, Monostroma zostericola, Monostromaangicava, Monostroma latissimum, Monostroma bulbosum, Monostromaarcticum, Monostroma areolatum, Monostroma fractum, Monostroma fuscum,Monostroma grevillei, Monostroma leptodermum, Monostroma quaternarium,Monostroma zostericola, Monostroma oxysperum, or Monostroma pulchrum. Inanother embodiment, the algae extract can be obtained from Chlorella.The Chlorella can be selected from the group consisting of Chlorellapyrenoidosa, Chlorella regularis, and Chlorella vulgaris. In particularembodiments, the Chlorella is comprised in a composition comprisingCHLORELLINE®. In still another embodiment of this invention, the algaeextract can be obtained from Ulva Lactuca. The Ulva Lactuca can becomprised in a composition comprising AOSAINE®. The algae extract canalso include Monostroma, Chlorella, and Ulva Lactuca. In anotherembodiment, the sea fennel can be comprised in a composition comprisingOLEAPHYCOL®. The Codium Tomentosum extract can be comprised in acomposition comprising CODIAVELANE®.

In a particular aspect of this invention, the composition includes fromabout 0.001% to about 5.0% of algae extract, from about 0.001% to about5.0% of sea fennel, and/or from about 0.001% to about 5.0% of CodiumTomentosum extract.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method oftreating or preventing aged or damaged skin comprising topicalapplication of a composition comprising at least one, two, and/or threeof the following: algae extract, sea fennel, and Codium Tomentosumextract, wherein the application of the composition treats or preventsaged or damaged skin. The composition can be chemically compatible. Thecomposition can also be topically applied in amount effective toincrease the stratum corneum turnover rate of the skin. The damaged skincan include nutritionally compromised skin or environmentally damagedskin. The environmentally damaged skin comprises skin damaged by UVlight, chronic sun exposure, environmental pollutants, chemicals,disease pathologies, or smoking. The composition can be further definedas a cosmetic composition. The composition can be comprised in acosmetic vehicle. Other aspects of the composition include thosedescribed throughout this specification.

A particular aspect of the present invention includes a compositioncomprising Monostroma, sea fennel, Codium Tomentosum, Chlorella, andUlva Lactuca, wherein the composition is formulated as a cosmeticcompound. The sea fennel can be comprised in a composition comprisingOLEAPHYCOL®; the Codium Tomentosum can be comprised in a compositioncomprising CODIAVELANE®; the Chlorella can be comprised in a compositioncomprising CHLORELLINE®; and/or the Ulva Lactuca can be comprised in acomposition comprising AOSAINE®.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a method of treating orpreventing aged or damaged skin comprising topical application of acomposition comprising Monostroma, sea fennel, Codium Tomentosum,Chlorella, and Ulva Lactuca, wherein the application of the compositiontreats or prevents aged or damaged skin. The sea fennel can be comprisedin a composition comprising OLEAPHYCOL®; the Codium Tomentosum can becomprised in a composition comprising CODIAVELANE®; the Chlorella can becomprised in a composition comprising CHLORELLINE®; and/or the UlvaLactuca can be comprised in a composition comprising AOSAINE®.

The terms “mixture,” “mix,” and “mixing” or any variants of these terms,when used in the claims and/or specification includes, stirring,blending, dispersing, milling, homogenizing, and other similar methods.The mixing of the components or ingredients of the disclosedcompositions can form into a solution. In other embodiments, thecompositions can also exist as undissolved colloidal suspensions.

The terms “inhibiting,” “reducing” or “prevention,” or any variation ofthese terms, when used in the claims and/or the specification includesany measurable decrease or complete inhibition to achieve a desiredresult.

The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term“comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” butit is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,”and “one or more than one.”

It is contemplated that any embodiment discussed in this specificationcan be implemented with respect to any method or composition of theinvention, and vice versa. Furthermore, compositions and kits of theinvention can be used to achieve methods of the invention.

Throughout this application, the term “about” is used to indicate that avalue includes the inherent variation of error for the device, themethod being employed to determine the value, or the variation thatexists among the study subjects.

The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unlessexplicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternativesare mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definitionthat refers to only alternatives and “and/or.”

As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (andany form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having”(and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and anyform of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing”(and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) areinclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecitedelements or method steps.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description. It should beunderstood, however, that the detailed description and the specificexamples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, aregiven by way of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Aged, nutritionally-compromised, and environmentally-damaged skin effectmany people in today's society. Fine lines, wrinkles, loss ofelasticity, increased sagging, loss of firmness, loss of color evenness,course surface texture, and mottled pigmentation are just some examplesof the effects of damaged skin. Previous attempts to treat damaged skinhave various drawbacks ranging from skin irritation to skin toxicity.The present invention is an effective alternative to the use of retinoidcompounds or other materials currently used to treat aged orenvironmentally-damaged skin.

The present invention discloses methods and compositions for treatingdamaged skin. The methods and compositions disclosed in thisspecification provide treatments that can improve the skin's visualappearance, physiological functions, clinical properties, andbiophysical properties by providing nourishment to the skin. Nourishmentcan be in the form of vitamins, minerals, moisturizers, and/or aminoacids. These and other aspects of the present invention are described infurther detail below.

A. Marine Botanicals

Compositions of the present invention can include, for example, at leastone or any combination of the following compounds and/or extracts:Monostroma, sea fennel, Codium Tomentosum, Chlorella, and Ulva Lactuca.In particular embodiments, the sea fennel is comprised in a compositioncomprising OLEAPHYCOL®. Codium Tomentosum can be comprised in acomposition comprising CODIAVELANE®. Chlorella can be comprised in acomposition comprising CHLORELLINE®. Ulva Lactuca can be comprised in acomposition comprising AOSAINE®.

1. Monostroma

Monostroma is a green flower algae that is known to stimulate theproliferation of fibroblast and increase extracellular matrix proteinproduction. The genus of Monostroma has many species, including, forexample, Monostroma nitidium, Monostroma zostericola, Monostromaangicava, Monostroma latissimum, Monostroma bulbosum, Monostromaarcticum, Monostroma areolatum, Monostroma fractum, Monostroma fuscum,Monostroma grevillei, Monostroma leptodermum, Monostroma quatemarium,Monostroma zostericola, Monostroma oxysperum, and Monostroma pulchrum.These and other species of Monostroma are contemplated as being usefulin the present invention.

Monostroma can grow in the wild in temperate regions and is alsoavailable for purchase as an extract. An air-dried product of Monostromahas, for example, the following composition: 16.9% of moisture; 16.6% ofproteins; 1.0% of lipids; 47.5% of carbohydrates; 5.6% of fibers; and12.4% of ash. The carbohydrates comprise polysaccharides containingapproximately 60% of L-rhamnose as well as uronic acid, D-xylose,D-glucose, D-mannose and the like. The major part of the carbohydratesis present in the form of rhaman sulfate (U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,283).

2. OLEAPHYCOL®

OLEAPHYCOL® provides a soothing feeling to the skin and has antioxidantbenefits. It comprises marine essential oil minerals and vitamin C.OLEAPHYCOL® is available for purchase from a variety of sources,including, e.g., Presperse, Inc. (www.presperse.com). All forms ofOLEAPHYCOL®, including, e.g., OLEAPHYCOL-CM®, OLEAPHYCOL-FV®, andOLEAPHYCOL-LD®, are contemplated as being useful in the presentinvention. In particular embodiments, OLEAPHYCOL-CM® is preferred. Anactive ingredient in OLEAPHYCOL-CM® is crithmum maritimum, otherwiseknown as sea fennel (Foeniculum vulgaris).

Sea fennel contains ingredients that are anti-inflammatory and have atightening effect on the skin. It can be used to strengthen muscle toneand increase the elasticity of the skin. Three bioactive fractions havebeen identified from sea fennel: falcarinol (panaxynol), falcarindiol,and hreims (Winsauer-Burkett, 2001).

3. CODIAVELANE®

CODIAVELANE®, including CODIAVELANE-BG®, can be used to maintain waterbalance of the epidermis and provide moisture to the skin. It can bepurchased, for example, at Presperse, Inc. CODIAVELANE® includespropylene glycol, water, and Codium Tomentosum extract. Otheringredients include proteins, glucuronic acid, and methyl paraben.CODIAVELANE-BG® includes butylene glycol, water, and Codium Tomentosumextract.

Codium Tomentosum, otherwise known as Algae extract, normalizes andbalances skin's moisture content by adding vital oligo-elements andincreasing surface hydration. Algae are chlorophyll-containing organismsthat includes over 20,000 different known species. In cosmetics, algaeare used as thickening agents, water-binding agents, and antioxidants.Other forms of algae, such as Irish moss and carrageenan, containproteins, vitamin A, sugar, starch, vitamin B1, iron, sodium,phosphorus, magnesium, copper, and calcium. These are all useful assources for skin care, either as emollients or antioxidants (Ruperez etal., 2002).

4. CHLORELLINE®

CHLORELLINE® contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It can besued to provide nutrients to skin, including aged or damaged skin.CHLORELLINE® can be purchased at Rita Corporation (www.ritacorp.com) Anactive ingredient in CHLORELLINE® is Chlorella.

Chlorella is a genus of unicellular green algae. Species includeChlorella pyrenoidosa, Chlorella regularis, and Chlorella vulgaris, allof which are contemplated as being useful in the present invention. Itcan be grown, harvested, purified, and processed into powders, tablets,and other forms. It has antioxidant properties and provides nutrients toskin, including aged or damaged skin. Chlorella contains chlorophyll A,chlorophyll B, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, and E, beta-carotene,potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, calcium, and 19 amino acids,including all 8 essential amino acids. Other ingredients include biotin,inositol, Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF), Chlorellan, Dextran Sulfate,fiber, DNA, RNA, enzymes, inositol, phosphorous, protein, sulfolipids,and folic acid.

5. AOSAINE®

AOSAINE® can be used to protect collagen and elastin from degradation,thereby helping to prevent wrinkles and skin aging. It can be purchased,for example, at Presperse, Inc. AOSAINE® optimizes cellular respirationand stimulates collagen production in the skin. It also increasesprotein synthesis and cell proliferation. It contains a number of aminoacids, including lysine, histidine, arginine, aspartic acid, proline,glycine, serine, glutamic acid, alanine, threonine, tyrosine,isoleucine, leucine, and phenyl-alanine. AOSAINE® is a hydrolysate ofseaweed proteins of the algae Ulva Lactuca.

Ulva lactuca extract has a strong permeability which absorbs into theskin quickly, improving blood circulation, increasing metabolism, anddischarging subcutaneous fat. It also inhibits elastase activity, whichprotects protein fibers, collagen and elastase. Ulva lactuca can promoteskin vitality and cellular proliferation, thereby preserving theepidermis from aging. In addition, Ulva lactuca contributes to theproduction of enzymatic reactions which break down or metabolize fats.

6. Source of Specific Compounds and Extracts

The specific compounds, extracts, and active ingredients in suchcompounds and extracts contemplated by the present invention can beobtained by any means known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.For example, the compounds, extracts, and active ingredients can beisolated by obtaining the source of such compounds or extracts. Thecompounds, extracts, or active ingredients can be purified by any numberof techniques known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Suchpurification techniques include, e.g., Polyacrylamide GelElectrophoresis, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Gelchromatography or Molecular Sieve Chromatography, and AffinityChromatography.

In addition, the compounds, extracts, and active ingredients of suchcompounds and extracts can be obtained by chemical synthesis or byrecombinant means by using conventional techniques. For example, variousautomatic polypeptide synthesizers are commercially available and can beused in accordance with known protocols. See, for example, Stewart andYoung, (1984); Tam et al., (1983); Merrifield, (1986); and Barany andMerrifield (1979), Houghten (1985). As for recombinant means, examplesinclude the expression of a nucleic acid sequence encoding a peptide orpolypeptide in an in vitro translation system or in a living cell.

7. Equivalents

Known and unknown equivalents to the specific compounds, extracts, andactive components in such compounds and extracts discussed throughoutthis specification can be used with the compositions and methods of thepresent invention. The equivalents can be used as substitutes for thespecific compounds, extracts, and active components. The equivalents canalso be used to add to the methods and compositions of the presentinvention. By way of example, equivalents to Monostroma, sea fennelCodium Tomentosum, Chlorella, and/or Ulva Lactuca can be used with themethods and compositions disclosed in this specification. Relatedspecies and genuses to the specific compounds and extracts can also beused with the methods and compounds of the present invention.

A person of ordinary skill in the art would be able to recognize andidentify acceptable known and unknown equivalents to the specificcompounds, extracts, and active components in such compounds andextracts without undue experimentation.

B. Compositions of the Present Invention

1. Concentrations of Marine Botanical Extracts

A person of ordinary skill would recognize that the compositions of thepresent invention can include any number of combinations of marinebotanical extracts, or derivatives therein. It is also contemplated thatthe concentrations of the marine botanical extracts of the presentinvention can vary. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the presentcompositions may comprise in their final form, for example, at leastabout 0.0001%, 0.0002%, 0.0003%, 0.0004%, 0.0005%, 0.0006%, 0.0007%,0.0008%, 0.0009%, 0.0010%, 0.0011%, 0.0012%, 0.0013%, 0.0014%, 0.0015%,0.0016%, 0.0017%, 0.0018%, 0.0019%, 0.0020%, 0.0021%, 0.0022%, 0.0023%,0.0024%, 0.0025%, 0.0026%, 0.0027%, 0.0028%, 0.0029%, 0.0030%, 0.0031%,0.0032%, 0.0033%, 0.0034%, 0.0035%, 0.0036%, 0.0037%, 0.0038%, 0.0039%,0.0040%, 0.0041%, 0.0042%, 0.0043%, 0.0044%, 0.0045%, 0.0046%, 0.0047%,0.0048%, 0.0049%, 0.0050%, 0.0051%, 0.0052%, 0.0053%, 0.0054%, 0.0055%,0.0056%, 0.0057%, 0.0058%, 0.0059%, 0.0060%, 0.0061%, 0.0062%, 0.0063%,0.0064%, 0.0065%, 0.0066%, 0.0067%, 0.0068%, 0.0069%, 0.0070%, 0.0071%,0.0072%, 0.0073%, 0.0074%, 0.0075%, 0.0076%, 0.0077%, 0.0078%, 0.0079%,0.0080%, 0.0081%, 0.0082%, 0.0083%, 0.0084%, 0.0085%, 0.0086%, 0.0087%,0.0088%, 0.0089%, 0.0090%, 0.0091%, 0.0092%, 0.0093%, 0.0094%, 0.0095%,0.0096%, 0.0097%, 0.0098%, 0.0099%, 0.0100%, 0.0200%, 0.0250%, 0.0275%,0.0300%, 0.0325%, 0.0350%, 0.0375%, 0.0400%, 0.0425%, 0.0450%, 0.0475%,0.0500%, 0.0525%, 0.0550%, 0.0575%, 0.0600%, 0.0625%, 0.0650%, 0.0675%,0.0700%, 0.0725%, 0.0750%, 0.0775%, 0.0800%, 0.0825%, 0.0850%, 0.0875%,0.0900%, 0.0925%, 0.0950%, 0.0975%, 0.1000%, 0.1250%, 0.1500%, 0.1750%,0.2000%, 0.2250%, 0.2500%, 0.2750%, 0.3000%, 0.3250%, 0.3500%, 0.3750%,0.4000%, 0.4250%, 0.4500%, 0.4750%, 0.5000%, 0.5250%, 0.0550%, 0.5750%,0.6000%, 0.6250%, 0.6500%, 0.6750%, 0.7000%, 0.7250%, 0.7500%, 0.7750%,0.8000%, 0.8250%, 0.8500%, 0.8750%, 0.9000%, 0.9250%, 0.9500%, 0.9750%,1.0%, 1.1%, 1.2%, 1.3%, 1.4%, 1.5%, 1.6%, 1.7%, 1.8%, 1.9%, 2.0%, 2.1%,2.2%, 2.3%, 2.4%, 2.5%, 2.6%, 2.7%, 2.8%, 2.9%, 3.0%, 3.1%, 3.2%, 3.3%,3.4%, 3.5%, 3.6%, 3.7%, 3.8%, 3.9%, 4.0%, 4.1%, 4.2%, 4.3%, 4.4%, 4.5%,4.6%, 4.7%, 4.8%, 4.9%, 5.0%, 5.1%, 5.2%, 5.3%, 5.4%, 5.5%, 5.6%, 5.7%,5.8%, 5.9%, 6.0%, 6.1%, 6.2%, 6.3%, 6.4%, 6.5%, 6.6%, 6.7%, 6.8%, 6.9%,7.0%, 7.1%, 7.2%, 7.3%, 7.4%, 7.5%, 7.6%, 7.7%, 7.8%, 7.9%, 8.0%, 8.1%,8.2%, 8.3%, 8.4%, 8.5%, 8.6%, 8.7%, 8.8%, 8.9%, 9.0%, 9.1%, 9.2%, 9.3%,9.4%, 9.5%, 9.6%, 9.7%, 9.8%, 9.9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%,17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%,35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99%or more of at least one marine botanical extract, and any rangederivable therein. A person of ordinary skill in the art wouldunderstand that the concentrations for the botanical extracts in thecompositions of the present invention can vary depending on theaddition, substitution, and/or subtraction of additional botanicalextracts and acceptable substitutes to these extracts.

The disclosed compositions of the present invention may also includevarious antioxidants to retard oxidation of one or more components.Additionally, the prevention of the action of microorganisms can bebrought about by preservatives such as various antibacterial andantifungal agents, including but not limited to parabens (e.g.,methylparabens, propylparabens), chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid,thimerosal or combinations thereof.

2. Cosmetic Vehicles

The present compositions are effective in all types of cosmeticvehicles. Non-limiting examples of suitable cosmetic vehicles includeemulsions, creams, lotions, solutions (both aqueous andhydro-alcoholic), anhydrous bases (such as lipsticks and powders), gels,and ointments or by other method or any combination of the forgoing aswould be known to one of ordinary skill in the art (Remington's, 1990).Variations and other appropriate vehicles will be apparent to theskilled artisan and are appropriate for use in the present invention.

In preferred embodiments, the cosmetic vehicle is selected fromoil-in-water emulsions, hydro-alcoholic solutions, or encapsulated beadsin anhydrous systems. With respect to oil-in-water emulsions, suchemulsions and their compositions and methods of making are well known inthe art. It is important, however, that the concentrations andcombinations of the compounds and extracts be selected in such a waythat the combinations are chemically compatible and do not formcomplexes which precipitate from the finished product.

3. Cosmetic Products

The composition of the present invention can also be used in manycosmetic products including, but not limited to, moisturizing cream,skin benefit creams and lotions, gels, ointments, foundation, nightcream, lipstick, cleansers, toners, masks, and/or color cosmeticproducts. The composition is most preferably used in anti-aging productsfor the face and other body parts, most especially leave-on products.

4. Additional Compounds and Agents that Can be used in Combination withthe Present Compositions

Compositions of the present invention can include other beneficialagents and compounds such as, for example, acute or chronic moisturizingagents (including, e.g., humectants, occlusive agents, and agents thataffect the natural moisturization mechanisms of the skin),anti-oxidants, sunscreens having UVA and/or UVB protection, skinlightening agents (e.g. hydroquinone), emollients, anti-irritants,vitamins, trace metals, anti-microbial agents, botanical extracts,fragrances, and/or dyes and color ingredients.

i Moisturizing Agents

Non-limiting examples of moisturizing agents that can be used with thecompositions of the present invention include amino acids, chondroitinsulfate, diglycerin, erythritol, fructose, glucose, glycerin, glycerolpolymers, glycol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, honey, hyaluronic acid,hydrogenated honey, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, inositol, lactitol,maltitol, maltose, mannitol, natural moisturization factor, PEG-15butanediol, polyglyceryl sorbitol, salts of pyrollidone carboxylic acid,potassium PCA, propylene glycol, sodium glucuronate, sodium PCA,sorbitol, sucrose, trehalose, urea, and xylitol.

Other examples include acetylated lanolin, acetylated lanolin alcohol,acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, acrylates copolymer,alanine, algae extract, aloe barbadensis, aloe-barbadensis extract, aloebarbadensis gel, althea officinalis extract, aluminum starchoctenylsuccinate, aluminum stearate, apricot (prunus armeniaca) kerneloil, arginine, arginine aspartate, arnica montana extract, ascorbicacid, ascorbyl palmitate, aspartic acid, avocado (persea gratissima)oil, barium sulfate, barrier sphingolipids, butyl alcohol, beeswax,behenyl alcohol, beta-sitosterol, BHT, birch (betula alba) bark extract,borage (borago officinalis) extract, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol,butcherbroom (ruscus aculeatus) extract, butylene glycol, calendulaofficinalis extract, calendula officinalis oil, candelilla (euphorbiacerifera) wax, canola oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cardamon(elettaria cardamomum) oil, carnauba (copernicia cerifera) wax,carrageenan (chondrus crispus), carrot (daucus carota sativa) oil,castor (ricinus communis) oil, ceramides, ceresin, ceteareth-5,ceteareth-12, ceteareth-20, cetearyl octanoate, ceteth-20, ceteth-24,cetyl acetate, cetyl octanoate, cetyl palmitate, chamomile (anthemisnobilis) oil, cholesterol, cholesterol esters, cholesterylhydroxystearate, citric acid, clary (salvia sclarea) oil, cocoa(theobroma cacao) butter, coco-caprylate/caprate, coconut (cocosnucifera) oil, collagen, collagen amino acids, corn (zea mays) oil,fatty acids, decyl oleate, dextrin, diazolidinyl urea, dimethiconecopolyol, dimethiconol, dioctyl adipate, dioctyl succinate,dipentaerythrityl hexacaprylate/hexacaprate, DMDM hydantoin, DNA,erythritol, ethoxydiglycol, ethyl linoleate, eucalyptus globulus oil,evening primrose (oenothera biennis) oil, fatty acids, tructose,gelatin, geranium maculatum oil, glucosamine, glucose glutamate,glutamic acid, glycereth-26, glycerin, glycerol, glyceryl distearate,glyceryl hydroxystearate, glyceryl laurate, glyceryl linoleate, glycerylmyristate, glyceryl oleate, glyceryl stearate, glyceryl stearate SE,glycine, glycol stearate, glycol stearate SE, glycosaminoglycans, grape(vitis vinifera) seed oil, hazel (corylus americana) nut oil, hazel(corylus avellana) nut oil, hexylene glycol, honey, hyaluronic acid,hybrid safflower (carthamus tinctorius) oil, hydrogenated castor oil,hydrogenated coco-glycerides, hydrogenated coconut oil, hydrogenatedlanolin, hydrogenated lecithin, hydrogenated palm glyceride,hydrogenated palm kernel oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, hydrogenatedtallow glyceride, hydrogenated vegetable oil, hydrolyzed collagen,hydrolyzed elastin, hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans, hydrolyzed keratin,hydrolyzed soy protein, hydroxylated lanolin, hydroxyproline,imidazolidinyl urea, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, isocetyl stearate,isocetyl stearoyl stearate, isodecyl oleate, isopropyl isostearate,isopropyl lanolate, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropylstearate, isostearamide DEA, isostearic acid, isostearyl lactate,isostearyl neopentanoate, jasmine (asminum officinale) oil, jojoba(buxus chinensis) oil, kelp, kukui (aleurites moluccana) nut oil,lactamide MEA, laneth-16, laneth-10 acetate, lanolin, lanolin acid,lanolin alcohol, lanolin oil, lanolin wax, lavender (lavandulaangustifolia) oil, lecithin, lemon (citrus medica limonum) oil, linoleicacid, linolenic acid, macadamia ternifolia nut oil, magnesium stearate,magnesium sulfate, maltitol, matricaria (chamomilla recutita) oil,methyl glucose sesquistearate, methylsilanol PCA, microcrystalline wax,mineral oil, mink oil, mortierella oil, myristyl lactate, myristylmyristate, myristyl propionate, neopentyl glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate,octyldodecanol, octyldodecyl myristate, octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate,octyl hydroxystearate, octyl palmitate, octyl salicylate, octylstearate, oleic acid, olive (olea europaea) oil, orange (citrusaurantium dulcis) oil, palm (elaeis guineensis) oil, palmitic acid,pantethine, panthenol, panthenyl ethyl ether, paraffin, PCA, peach(prunus persica) kernel oil, peanut (arachis hypogaea) oil, PEG-8 C12-18ester, PEG-15 cocamine, PEG-150 distearate, PEG-60 glyceryl isostearate,PEG-5 glyceryl stearate, PEG-30 glyceryl stearate, PEG-7 hydrogenatedcastor oil, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-60 hydrogenated castoroil, PEG-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate, PEG40 sorbitan peroleate,PEG-5 soy sterol, PEG-10 soy sterol, PEG-2 stearate, PEG-8 stearate,PEG-20 stearate, PEG-32 stearate, PEG40 stearate, PEG-50 stearate,PEG-100 stearate, PEG-150 stearate, pentadecalactone, peppermint (menthapiperita) oil, petrolatum, phospholipids, polyamino sugar condensate,polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate, polyquarternium-24, polysorbate 20,polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80, polysorbate 85,potassium myristate, potassium palmitate, potassium sorbate, potassiumstearate, propylene glycol, propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate,propylene glycol dioctanoate, propylene glycol dipelargonate, propyleneglycol laurate, propylene glycol stearate, propylene glycol stearate SE,PVP, pyridoxine dipalmitate, quaternium-15, quaternium-18 hectorite,quaternium-22, retinol, retinyl palmitate, rice (oryza sativa) bran oil,RNA, rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) oil, rose oil, safflower(carthamus tinctorius) oil, sage (salvia officinalis) oil, salicylicacid, sandalwood (santalum album) oil, serine, serum protein, sesame(sesamum indicum) oil, shea butter (butyrospermum parkii), silk powder,sodium chondroitin sulfate, sodium DNA, sodium hyaluronate, sodiumlactate, sodium palmitate, sodium PCA, sodium polyglutamate, sodiumstearate, soluble collagen, sorbic acid, sorbitan laurate, sorbitanoleate, sorbitan palmitate, sorbitan sesquioleate, sorbitan stearate,sorbitol, soybean (glycine soja) oil, sphingolipids, squalane, squalene,stearamide MEA-stearate, stearic acid, stearoxy dimethicone,stearoxytrimethylsilane, stearyl alcohol, stearyl glycyrrhetinate,stearyl heptanoate, stearyl stearate, sunflower (helianthus annuus) seedoil, sweet almond (prunus amygdalus dulcis) oil, synthetic beeswax,tocopherol, tocopheryl acetate, tocopheryl linoleate, tribehenin,tridecyl neopentanoate, tridecyl stearate, triethanolamine, tristearin,urea, vegetable oil, water, waxes, wheat (triticum vulgare) germ oil,and ylang ylang (cananga odorata) oil.

ii Antioxidants

Non-limiting examples of antioxidants that can be used with thecompositions of the present invention include acetyl cysteine, ascorbicacid, ascorbic acid polypeptide, ascorbyl dipalmitate, ascorbylmethylsilanol pectinate, ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl stearate, BHA,BHT, t-butyl hydroquinone, cysteine, cysteine HCl, diamylhydroquinone,di-t-butylhydroquinone, dicetyl thiodipropionate, dioleyl tocopherylmethylsilanol, disodium ascorbyl sulfate, distearyl thiodipropionate,ditridecyl thiodipropionate, dodecyl gallate, erythorbic acid, esters ofascorbic acid, ethyl ferulate, ferulic acid, gallic acid esters,hydroquinone, isooctyl thioglycolate, kojic acid, magnesium ascorbate,magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, methylsilanol ascorbate, natural botanicalanti-oxidants such as green tea or grape seed extracts,nordihydroguaiaretic acid, octyl gallate, phenylthioglycolic acid,potassium ascorbyl tocopheryl phosphate, potassium sulfite, propylgallate, quinones, rosmarinic acid, sodium ascorbate, sodium bisulfite,sodium erythorbate, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite, superoxidedismutase, sodium thioglycolate, sorbityl furfural, thiodiglycol,thiodiglycolamide, thiodiglycolic acid, thioglycolic acid, thiolacticacid, thiosalicylic acid, tocophereth-5, tocophereth-10, tocophereth-12,tocophereth-18, tocophereth-50, tocopherol, tocophersolan, tocopherylacetate, tocopheryl linoleate, tocopheryl nicotinate, tocopherylsuccinate, and tris(nonylphenyl)phosphite.

iii Compounds having Ultraviolet Light Absorbing Properties

Non-limiting examples of compounds that have ultraviolet light absorbingproperties that can be used with the compounds of the present inventioninclude titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, benzophenone, benzophenone-1,benzophenone-2, benzophenone-3, benzophenone-4 benzophenone-5,benzophenone-6, benzophenone-7, benzophenone-8, benzophenone-9,benzophenone-10, benzophenone-11, benzophenone-12, benzyl salicylate,butyl PABA, cinnamate esters, cinoxate, DEA-methoxycinnamate,diisopropyl methyl cinnamate, ethyl dihydroxypropyl PABA, ethyldiisopropylcinnamate, ethyl methoxycinnamate, ethyl PABA, ethylurocanate, glyceryl octanoate dimethoxycinnamate, glyceryl PABA, glycolsalicylate, homosalate, isoamyl p-methoxycinnamate, PABA, PABA esters,Parsol 1789, and isopropylbenzyl salicylate.

iv Additional Compounds and Agents

Non-limiting examples of additional compounds and agents that can beused with the compositions of the present invention include skinlightening agents (e.g. kojic acid, hydroquinone, ascorbic acid andderivatives, retinoids and their derivatives, and niacinamide),emollients (e.g. esters and fatty acids), vitamins (e.g. D, E, A, K, andC), trace metals (e.g. zinc, calcium and selenium), anti-irritants (e.g.steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories), antimicrobial agents(e.g. triclosan), botanical extracts (e.g. aloe vera, chamomile,cucumber extract, ginkgo bibloba, ginseng, and rosemary), dyes and coloringredients (e.g. D&C blue no. 4, D&C green no. 5, D&C orange no. 4, D&Cred no. 17, D&C red no. 33, D&C violet no. 2, D&C yellow no. 10, D&Cyellow no. 11 and DEA-cetyl phosphate), preservatives (e.g. BHA),emollients (i.e. organic esters, fatty acids, lanolin and itsderivatives, plant and animal oils and fats, and di- and triglycerides),antimicrobial agents (e.g., triclosan and ethanol), and fragrances(natural and artificial).

EXAMPLES

The following examples are included to demonstrate preferred embodimentsof the invention. It should be appreciated by those of skill in the artthat the techniques disclosed in the examples which follow representtechniques discovered by the inventor to function well in the practiceof the invention, and thus can be considered to constitute preferredmodes for its practice. However, those of skill in the art should, inlight of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can bemade in the specific embodiments which are disclosed and still obtain alike or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

Example 1 Chronic Anti Aging Study

Materials and Methods: The following study was conducted to determine ifa marine composition comprising 5.0% CODIAVELANE®, 1.0% AOSAINE®, 2.0%Monostroma, 5.0% OLEAPHYCOL-CM®, and 3.0% CHLORELLINE® (a non-limitingexample of a botanical blend of the present invention) provideslong-term visual and measurable anti-aging benefits on the human face.Vehicle A (Table 1) was used as a control. Twenty panelists applied thecomposition twice a day, morning and evening on their face.

TABLE 1 Vehicle A* Phase Ingredient % In Formula A Water 58.4 AGlycereth-26 5.0 A Hispagel 5.0 A Disodium EDTA 0.05 A Carbopol 940, 2%15.0 B Lecinol S-10 1.0 C Cosmowax J 1.25 C Finsolve TN 6.0 CDimethicone 0.5 C Isostearyl Alcohol 1.25 C Cetyl Alcohol 0.7 C Silica0.35 D Triethanolamine, 99% 1.16 D Water 1.60 E Germaben II 1.0 F SodiumPCA 0.11 F Prodew 400 0.7 F Tocopheryl Acetate 0.1 F Phospholipid EFA0.82 *Procedure to make Vehicle A: Add the ingredients in A to vessel,in order, at room temperature, mixing between additions. Begin heatingto 75° C. At 50° C., add B. At 75° C. add C, in order, mixing betweenadditions. As mixture cools, add D at 65° C. At 45° C., add E and F.

The panelists were monitored for skin condition at the beginning of thestudy (i.e. before treatment); at four weeks after the treatment; and ateight weeks after the treatment. They were evaluated for face and neckmoisture, dryness, surface fine lines, canthus wrinkles, firmness,softness, and clarity. The results identified in Table 2 were obtainedby using the following procedures. Face and neck moisture were evaluatedusing impedance measurements, an electrical conductivity measurementusing the Nova Dermal Phase Meter. Dryness, surface fine lines, andsoftness were determined by an expert grader using a calibrated visualanalog scale from 1 to 10. Skin softness was measured by Gas BearingElectrodynamometer. Surface fine lines were counted and the severity ofthe lines evaluated according to the Packman-Gans method, (1978), usingweighted scoring. Dryness was evaluated using a calibrated visual analogscale from 1 to 10. Firmness was evaluated using a Hargensballistometer, a device that evaluates the elasticity and firmness ofthe skin by dropping a small body onto the skin and recording its firsttwo rebound peaks. As firmness decreases, the second peak will besmaller in comparison to the first. Clarity was evaluated using aMinolta Chromameter, which measures the total light reflected from theskin compared to the amount of red and brown/yellow light. Thesemeasurements were mathematically analyzed to determine the clarity ofthe skin. Canthus wrinkles were evaluated four and eight weeks aftertreatment by comparing the silicone replicas (negative impressions) madeof the individuals' skin at baseline. The replicas were evaluated bycomputer image analysis to determine the number and depth of thewrinkles.

Results: As shown in Tables 2 and 3, continued improvement was seen forthe skin condition parameters throughout the 8 weeks of the study. Thecomposition comprising the marine botanicals performed better than thevehicle A control. A continued improvement was also seen with vehicle A.This was due to the moisturizing ingredients in the vehicle A formula.

TABLE 2 Effects of marine botanical composition on the human skin %Improvement Compared to Baseline Vehicle A + Vehicle A Botanical BlendSkin Benefit Week 4 Week 8 Week 4 Week 8 Cheek Moisture 20.6 33.5 33.648.0 Neck Moisture 27.9 36.5 35.3 49.9 Firmness 12.1 24.4 17.0 29.0Softness/Suppleness 22.2 32.4 26.0 41.1 Canthus Wrinkles 17.2 28.4 24.043.3 Clarity 4.8 8.5 5.8 11.3 Surface Fine Lines 18.1 29.2 23.1 41.2Dryness 32.7 51.0 36.4 58.6

TABLE 3 Panelist self assessment of the marine botanical compositionduring an 8-Week Treatment Period Skin % of Panelists Perceiving MuchGreater Improved Skin Condition* Benefit Marine botanicals Skin VehicleA in Vehicle A Condition 2 Weeks 4 Weeks 8 Weeks 2 Weeks 4 Weeks 8 WeeksDryness 53.3 66.7 86.7 60.00 80.00 100.0 Smoothness 46.7 60.0 80.0 60.073.3 100.0 Lines and 6.7 26.7 60.0 20.00 46.7 66.7 Wrinkles Firmness 6.746.7 66.7 20.00 60.0 80.0 Softness 33.3 46.7 73.3 53.3 60.0 86.7 Healthy13.3 26.7 46.7 26.7 33.3 66.7 Glow Elasticity 26.7 53.3 66.7 20.00 66.786.7 Looks 13.3 46.7 73.3 20.0 60.0 86.7 Younger Looks 20.0 46.7 80.0026.7 60.00 86.7 Healthier *Fifteen panelists in each of the treatmentcells participated in the study. After 2, 4, and 8 weeks of product use,the panelists rated their skin condition on a 5-point scale whichcompared the condition at the start of the study. The scale ranged fromthe assessed parameter being much less improved, somewhat less improved,no change, somewhat greater improved, and much greater improved. Thevalues represent the percent of panelists who perceived much greaterimprovement at the given point in time. A person of ordinary skill inthe cosmetic arts understands the meaning of the terms used in the farleft column of Table 3.

Example 2 Corneum Turnover Study

Materials and Methods: The following procedure was utilized to estimatestratum corneum turnover rates on human skin, which results directlyfrom epidermal activation. Four sites were marked on the forearm using aplastic template. Baseline readings of color intensity were determinedusing a Minolta Chromameter. (b* value listed in Table 4). OcclusiveHilltop chambers (2 cm diameter) containing 0.05 ml Mary Kay SUNESSENTLKLS® Sunless Tanning Lotion product with dihydroxyacetone (DHA)were placed on the sites. After 6 hours, these patches were removed, and18 hours later, the color intensity was again determined using theChromameter. The Δb* values in Table 4 were calculated as the differencebetween the reading and the baseline. Panelists applied the formula inTable 5 to the brown spots in the morning and evening during the ensuing10 days. Chromameter readings were repeated after 4, 7, and, 10 days.The color decay slope was calculated as the percent loss per day, andthe transit time determined by extrapolating to 100% loss of color.

Results: The results of this study (Table 4) indicate that thecombination of Sea Fennel, Monostroma, and CHLORELLINE® increased therate at which the stratum corneum replaced itself when compared to thevehicle B (Table 5) that was used to incorporate these threeingredients. The effects were concentration-dependent. The increases instratum corneum replacement rate show that Sea Fennel, Monostroma, andCHLORELLINE® in the composition activate and/or stimulate the epidermisof the skin.

TABLE 4 Effects of Sea Fennel, Monostroma and CHLORELLINE ® on HumanStratum Corneum Turnover Rate Stratum Corneum % Change in StratumRenewal Rate Corneum Renewal Rate Composition Tested (Δb*/Day) vs. NoTreatment Control Untreated 0.590 — Vehicle B (Table 5) 0.632  7 VehicleB + 0.5% 0.660 12 Monostroma + 1.0% CHLORELLINE ® Vehicle B + 2.0% 0.69117 Monostroma + 3.0% CHLORELLINE ®

TABLE 5 Vehicle B* Phase Ingredient % In Formula A Water 87.86 ADisodium EDTA 0.10 A Ferulic Acid 0.01 A Carbopol ETD 2020 0.30 BButylene Glycol 5.00 B Methylparaben 0.20 C L-Arginine 0.50 C Water 5.00D Triethanolamine, 99% 0.25 E DMDM Hydantoin 0.20 F Vegetech NightBreeze 0.01 F Sea Rocket Extract 0.01 F Elias Blend 0.05 F Sea FennelExtract 0.01 G Unispheres PACE 0.50 *Procedure to make Vehicle B: Addthe ingredients in B to vessel, in order, at room temperature, mixingbetween additions. Add phase A to B at room temperature. Add C, D, E andF in order, mixing between additions at room temperature. Slowly add Gat the end at room temperature.

All of the compositions and/or methods and/or apparatus disclosed andclaimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation inlight of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods ofthis invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, itwill be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may beapplied to the compositions and/or methods and/or apparatus and in thesteps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein withoutdeparting from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. Morespecifically, it will be apparent that certain agents which are bothchemically and physiologically related may be substituted for the agentsdescribed herein while the same or similar results would be achieved.All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilledin the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

REFERENCES

The following references, to the extent that they provide exemplaryprocedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein, arespecifically incorporated herein by reference.

-   U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,283-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,963-   U.S. Pat. No. 6,495,126-   Barany and Merrifield, In: The Peptides, Gross and Meienhofer    (Eds.), Academic Press, NY, 1-284, 1979.-   Blumenthal et al., In: Herbal Medicine, Expanded Commission E    Monographs, 1^(st) Ed., Integrated Medicine Communications, Newton,    Mass., 2000.-   Fang et al., Univ. of Cairo, Bull. Fac. Agric, 43(1):31-44, 1992.-   Houghten, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82(15):5131-5135, 1985.-   Merrifield, Science, 232(4748):341-347, 1986.-   Packman-Gans method, J. Soc. Cosmetic Chem. 29:70 (1978-   Packman-Gans, J. Soc. Cosmetic Chem., 29:70, 1978.-   Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed. Mack Printing Company,    1990.-   Ruperez et al., J. Agric. Food Chem., 50(4):840-845, 2002.-   Schiltz et al. J. Investigative Dermatology, 87:663-667, 1986.-   Stewart and Young, In: Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, 24-66,    Freeman, San Francisco, 1969.-   Tam et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 105:6442, 1983.-   Winsauer-Burkett, Fennel, Alt MedDex, Jun. 2001.

1. A topical skin composition comprising: (a) water; (b) sea fennelCrithmum maritimum; (c) Ulva lactuca; (d) cucumber extract; (e) at leasttwo vitamins including retinyl palmitate and tocopheryl acetate; (f) acombination of moisturizing agents comprising butylene glycol, propyleneglycol, caprylic/capric triglyceride, and a phospholipid; and (g) apreservative, wherein the composition is an oil-free gel.
 2. The topicalskin composition of claim 1, wherein the preservative includesmethylparaben and propylparaben.